Critic Reviews

MobyRanks are listed below. You can read here for more information about MobyRank.

80

Electric Playground

This is a game that gives you a glimpse into what the future of fighting games can be. There is a smoothness and a style here that makes you truly appreciate the graphic capabilities of the N64. It's not quite perfect, but it is one of the best choices for N64 fighting thus far.

Despite the problems in Dark Rift, it manages to claim the title of best fighting game for the N64, but it still has a way to go before catching up with games like VF2, Tekken 2 or even the classic Street Fighter series.

Overall, Kronos has overcome its Criticom syndrome: the level of character detail is there, the many chained combos, the feel of the game, the variety of fighters and fighting styles are all good. Dark Rift shines through its weaknesses, and, for the time being, can be called the best fighter on Nintendo 64.

With its questionable character design and repetitive gameplay, the only gameplay variation Dark Rift brings to the fighting game table is its default three-out-of-five matches (as opposed to the standard best two-out-of-three). The rest feels like a Virtua Fighter-inspired mishmash of monsters, demons, and guys with guns. The graphic effects are the only things that save Dark Rift from falling below average. As much as I hate to say this, I'd rather be playing War Gods.

Even before its release, this game, Vic Tokai's first contribution for the N64, was besmirched by a rumour that Sony had already turned down the concept for the PlayStation. Completely unfounded, of course, but Dark Rift does pitifully little to deny that it could have worked just as well - if not better - on 32bit.